Nova Scotia NDP to pay back monies spent on pamphlets during byelection

HALIFAX — Elections Nova Scotia says the provincial New Democrats have admitted to breaking advertising rules by sending out partisan materials at taxpayer expense during a byelection.

A release says the party has agreed to pay back $2,100 spent on brochures that went to 12,700 homes in the electoral district of Dartmouth-South.

Party spokesman Mark Laventure has said the party failed to take into consideration the rules prohibiting a publicly funded mailout during a byelection period.

Elections Nova Scotia has earlier investigated the Liberal caucus, which sent 33,000 flyers into the vacant ridings of Cape Breton Centre, Sydney-Whitney Pier and Dartmouth South during the third week of May.

Premier Stephen McNeil has said his party wasn’t clear on the rules and will pay the $7,000 cost of their mailouts.